Contestants must submit an under water photo that they have personally taken.  You must also submit a signed affidavit that you took the picture along with the official application.  If your picture is picked as the winner of IDEA USA Under Water Photo Contest you will win a tuition free Instructor Training Course. You may choose any IDEA Instructor Training center to attend providing there is an open slot or the Instructor conducts a private or in-house instructor course for you.  The average cost of attending an ITC is not set by IDEA Headquarters.  Each IDEA Instructor Trainer and Instructor Trainer Evaluator is free to charge what they feel is a fair price for the ITC.  The average price for an ITC may vary from $2500 to $3500.

     After successfully completing the Instructor training course you may start teaching the IDEA Scuba program.  Admission to an IDEA Scuba Instructor Course does not guarantee that you will be certified.  You must pass all academics, skills, and open water training.  You may choose at your own expense to attend a three day  IDEA Instructor Preparatory course which includes a refresher and dive master certification with the Instructor Training Center you choose.

      As an active IDEA instructor you will be required to purchase professional Liability Scuba Insurance from IDEA's Insurance Carrier.  You may be restricted from teaching scuba lessons in the area of the Training center that conducts the Instructor Training Course for the winner of the contest.  You may, however, reach an agreement with the IDEA Training Center and sign an agreement with the center to either work through the center or set an area outside of the training center.  For more specific information and the  cost of materials call or e-mail IDEA USA headquarters.
     
     The Under Water Photo Contest begins on July 16, 2011 and will run until August 30, 2011.  All Applications must be post marked or in by midnight 8/30/2011.   If you are not a dive master or assistant scuba instructor you may still enter the contest.  The additional training needed may be arranged by you and the Instructor Training Center for you to receive any additional training needed to obtain the minimum standard required by IDEA and the RSTC.  It will be the responsibility of the winner to pay for any prerequisite training, i.e. Advanced Open Water, Dive Master and purchase the IDEA Instructor training materials.  Any scheduling will be worked out between the winner and the training center IT for time and dates.  All Training must be completed prior to 1/1/2012.  The winner will also receive the entire first year's IDEA Instructor membership dues at no cost.  Questions? Call IDEA HQ.  904 744 5554.